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Enlarge ImageRequest to buy this photoDAVID J. PHILLIP | ASSOCIATED PRESSA Russian police officer frisks a man as his vehicle also is screened at the entrance to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games park at Sochi. The Olympics begin on Feb. 7.

By Lolita C. BaldorASSOCIATED PRESS • Friday January 24, 2014 7:43 AM

WASHINGTON — The top U.S. and Russian military leaders have discussed security at the Sochi
Olympics, including the possibility of sharing technologies to counter roadside bombs, the Pentagon
said yesterday.

Russia has made no formal request for the technology, and the U.S. has not offered it, Pentagon
press secretary Adm. John Kirby said. But the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin
Dempsey, had an informal discussion this week with his Russian counterpart about the possibilities
for its use during the Sochi Games.

“Security for the Games rests with the Russian government. It’s their responsibility,” Kirby
said. “The United States has made clear very early on that we’re willing to assist in any way that
we can, but there’s been no request for such assistance.”

The U.S. has used sophisticated technologies in Iraq and Afghanistan to detect and defeat
roadside bombs.

Kirby also noted that two American warships will be in the Black Sea during the Games as part of
normal military planning, in case they are needed. He said the ships would be capable of many
missions, including evacuations, medical support and communications, but that it is far too early
to suggest any specific missions.

The warships likely will travel from the Mediterranean Sea, but they have not moved into the
Black Sea yet.

Some U.S. lawmakers worry that Russia isn’t doing enough to assure that athletes will be safe at
the Games. And the State Department has advised Americans at the Olympics to keep vigilant about
security because of potential terrorist threats, crime and uncertain medical care.

Back-to-back suicide bombings killed 34 people last month in Volgograd, about 400 miles from
Sochi. An Islamic militant group in Russia’s North Caucasus claimed responsibility for the bombings
and posted a video threatening to strike the Sochi Games.

This week, some Olympic committees from other nations reported receiving threatening emails, but
many shrugged them off as a hoax.

Asked whether Americans would be safe if they traveled to the Winter Games, Kirby said, “I
believe the Russian government is taking this very, very seriously, and I believe they are applying
as much energy as possible to providing security for the Games.”